?


    Owen cleared his throat tactfully, "So... Mr. Stoddard mentioned that everyone in theb misses you and said you should swing by more often when you''ve got a minute."


    Roseanne blinked, "When did Mr. Stoddard say this?"


    "About a week ago." Owen didn''t give it much thought and just told it like it was.


    "Oh-" Roseanne drew out her words, "So Mr. Stoddard asked you to pass the message a week ago, and you just got around to it today?"


    And he thought he could avoid her?!


    The more he spoke, the more he fumbled. With that, Owen beat a hasty retreat.


    Watching his retreating figure, Roseanne couldn''t help butugh out loud.


    The afternoon sun zed warmly, the sky a clear blue with leisurely clouds drifting by.


    Everything was simply beautiful.


    With no sses that afternoon and no ns to hit the library-her schedule had been packedtely, and her apartment could use a tidy up- Roseanne decided to take advantage of the lovely weather. It was high time to do someundry and maybe even enjoy preparing a scrumptious meal for herself. The thought alone brought a smile to her face.


    However, her smile vanished the moment she spotted him at the school gates, holding a bouquet of flowers.


    Murray, in his suit, already stood out like a sore thumb, but with a bouquet in hand, he was impossible to miss. Passing teachers and students couldn''t help but cast curious nces his way.


    "Not him again?"


    "He''s got blue roses this time. That big a bunch must''ve cost a pretty penny."


    "I''m so jealous of the girl he''s chasing. Handsome and romantic. If it were me, I''d have melted in a second."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Well, he''s got to be interested in you first, doesn''t he? Haha..."


    Roseanne was truly exasperated.


    She thought she had made herself clear that day.


    Since then, Murray had indeed kept his distance, which made her think he had gotten the message. But now, here he was, pulling the same stunt again!


    This was truly, very, annoying!


    Just as she was about to step out, Roseanne turned on her heel and headed back towards the library. Cleaning her apartment could wait till tomorrow.


    And as forundry, the forecast promised good weather for the next half month. There was plenty of time for that.


    After waiting for an hour without a glimpse of Roseanne, Murray knew it was futile to wait any longer. He chuckled bitterly to himself.


    The beautiful blue roses in his hand seemed to mock his unrequited affection.


    Approaching a trash bin, he prepared to discard the bouquet.


    "Such beautiful flowers going to waste, isn''t that a pity?"


    Murray looked up to see Grace smiling at him.


    The next second-


    "What''s it to you?"


    They were his flowers to throw away if he wished, not for others toment on.


    Grace''s smile faltered, seemingly caught off guard by his response.


    Dressed in a skirt, her hair cascading down her back, light makeupplementing her gentle smile, she looked the picture of grace and poise Yet, Murray barely nced at her, as if her beauty meant nothing to him.


    Surprised, yet intrigued, Grace''s interest was piqued.


    This man was unlike any other she''d encountered Beyond his striking looks and mature aura, there was an unapproachable pride about him. Like the highest fruit on the tree, all the more enticing because it was out of reach.


    Grace smiled slightly, "True, it''s none of my business, but then, my opinion being a waste isn''t your concern either, is it?" Murray looked at her again.


    Unfazed, Grace allowed him to scrutinize her.


    Suddenly, he scoffed, stuffing the flowers into the trash bin right in front of Grace, "If you like them so much, feel free to take them."


    With that, he walked away, his departure marked by a proud silhouette.


    Grace watched the discarded bouquet, then the man walking away, and found herself rooted to the spot, puzzled yet intrigued.


    ...


    At the end of every month, the academy held a report and summary meeting.


    All 26 research groups within the faculty were expected to send representatives to present their academic findings.


    Affectionately known as "the


    monthly roundup," it was an event


    where, traditionally, mentors and their protégés sat side by side, each group taking its turn to rise and share their progress.